Rio de Janeiro: The wife of former Paraguayan international Salvador Cabanas revealed the striker is risking his life by playing with a bullet lodged in his skull.

The 31-year-old returned to professional football in April with his original club 12 de Octubre in Paraguay's third division. It came 810 days after Cabanas was shot in the restroom of a Mexico City bar following an argument with an alleged drug-dealer, who was arrested last year, reported Xinhua.

"He is not allowed to head the ball and his life is at risk if he continues to play professionally," Maria Lorgia Alonso told TV programme Futgol 3D.

She added that she supported her husband's comeback despite recognizing "he has limitations".

The revelation came a day after the resignation of 12 de Octubre coach Roland Chilavert, who said the club could not win with Cabanas in the team.

Chilavert claimed he had been forced to include the forward by 12 de Octubre's directors.

"I made it clear what Salvador's limitations were and that he was in the team more for marketing reasons," Chilavert said.

Cabanas is able to run freely but has limited vision and motor skills. Doctors decided against removing a bullet fragment in his skull, saying the operation would be too risky.

At the time of the incident, Cabanas was a leading striker for Club America in Mexico's top division.

He made his international debut in 2004, scoring 10 goals in 44 appearances for Paraguay. (IANS)